‘GLOW’s’ Alison Brie Is A True 21st Century TV Icon

GLOW, Netflix’s new comedy based on the ’80s professional wrestling show of the same name, is a big deal. Not only is it a new series from Orange is the New Black mastermind Jenji Kohan, and not only does it feature an all-female cast, but it also marks Alison Brie’s return to television after being a major part of the current Golden Age’s earliest days. Yeah, that’s a big deal.

For six straight years, Alison Brie starred in quite possibly two of the most acclaimed series of the 21st century: Mad Men and Community. She appeared on both shows at the same time. While Brie wasn’t a series regular on Mad Men, she still appeared in every season of the definitive prestige drama–a total of 38 episodes! That’s more than a lot of series regulars! And she did that while starring in the beloved, genre-defying sitcom Community, a show that let her sing, prosecute, scream, and more. Brie could have easily decided to do one show or the other, but instead she played both Trudy Campbell and Annie Edison simultaneously, showing off two very different sides of her talent.

With GLOW hitting Netflix hard this weekend, now’s the perfect time to run through Brie’s greatest hits from her frankly unbelievable run as a key part of two massively important TV shows. And welcome back to TV, Alison.

'Mad Men,' 'New Amsterdam' (2007)

Brie debuted as Pete Campbell’s wife Trudy in Mad Men‘s fourth episode, “New Amsterdam.” After hearing about Pete’s new wife for a few episodes, we finally see the young couple in action–and, tellingly, Pete generally acts like a jerk. Trudy finds an apartment in Upper Manhattan for the two of them to share, but Pete, frustrated with his role at the ad agency Sterling Cooper, doesn’t know if they can afford it. Begrudgingly, Pete has to turn to his and ultimately Trudy’s parents for a loan.

'Mad Men,' 'My Old Kentucky Home' (2009)

Brie was half of one of the most iconic moments from early in Mad Men’s run: the infamous Pete/Trudy Charleston dance. The young couple cleared the dance floor with their perfectly executed moves, and their inadvertently smug performance also made every other couple at the party more than a little jealous. In terms of Trudy’s emotional arc, this has to be the high point; Brie excels at showing off Trudy’s fun-loving side, but, as we’ll see later, she’s also capable of infusing Trudy with real intensity.

'Community,' 'Debate 109' (2009)

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Just a few weeks after heating up the dance floor with Vincent Kartheiser, Brie made her debut as Annie Edison in the debut episode of Community. In this episode, Annie takes the lead as the debate team mania sweeps through Greendale Community College. When her debate partner backs out at the last minute, Jeff (Joel McHale) swoops in to join the team (and steal Annie’s thunder).

'Mad Men,' 'Hands & Knees' (2010)

To be honest, this episode is memorable mostly because of Trudy’s obscenely pink and ridiculously frilly maternity nightgown. This episode’s a really stressful one for Pete, who sacrifices a major account and puts his own career on the line to throw some investigators off of Don’s trail. Trudy and Pete share a tender scene, with (the usually deplorable) Pete confiding in Trudy about his work problems in the vaguest way possible. “Just remember,” Trudy reassures her often neglectful husband, “everything’s good here.”

'Community,' 'Cooperative Calligraphy' (2010)

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This bottle episode (a fact that does not escape Abed’s attention) puts Annie front and center when she accuses someone in the Greendale study group of stealing her pen. Thing escalate quickly, from rummaging through each others’ bags to full-blown strip searches. This episode tests the group’s bonds with each other as secrets (and not the pen in question) are uncovered.

'Community,' 'Regional Holiday Music' (2011)

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Community committed hard to the tradition of the holiday sitcom episode, resulting in this Season 3 standout. A mercilessly perky choir director (Taran Killam) convinces the study group members to bust into song, one by one. Brie’s performance is the real highlight of the episode. Brie throws herself into Annie’s overly cutesy-wutesy sexy baby doll act, expertly skewering sexualized Christmas songs like “Santa Baby” and society’s disturbing trend of infantilizing women.

'Mad Men,' 'Signal 30' (2012)

Things get downright domestic in “Signal 30,” an episode centered around a party at the Campbell household. Trudy and Pete welcome the Drapers and Cosgroves into their home, an event that (of course) frustrates Pete as he simmers with jealousy for his co-workers. And if you watch Mad Men for the fashion, this episode features an aggressive assortment of wild ’60s prints and busy plaids.

'Community,' 'Basic Lupine Urology' (2012)

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Community expertly took on a number of different genres during its six-season run, from Spaghetti Westerns to zombie movies. Season Three’s “Basic Lupine Urology” saw this NBC sitcom take on the characteristics of NBC’s signature drama, Law & Order. In this fan favorite episode, Annie takes on the role of prosecutor as the study group tries to solve the murder of… a yam! As this yam is the study group’s science project, the stakes are high enough to warrant Brie bringing her dramatic talents to this procedural parody.

'Community,' 'Analysis of Cork-Based Networking' (2014)

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Brie pairs up with Breaking Bad alum Jonathan Banks in this hard-edged Season Five episode. The unlikely pair have one goal: install a bulletin board so they can promote the Save Greendale committee. Annie soon learns that installing a bulletin board isn’t an easy ask, and she ends up owing favors to nearly every department head in Greendale. This is also the episode that features a school dance with the theme “Fat Dog For Midterms,” which is as bizarre as it sounds.

'Mad Men,' 'The Milk & Honey Route (2015)

Both Community and Mad Men ended within weeks of each other in the spring of 2015. While playing the overachieving Annie Edison, Brie took Trudy Campbell from a bright eyed newlywed to a fiercely independent, no-nonsense divorcee. After becoming aware of Pete’s indiscretions, Trudy divorced Pete in Season 6. Her subsequent appearances on Mad Men showed her standing on her own, raising their daughter, and delighting audiences by holding Pete accountable for all his nonsense. The penultimate episode of Mad Men sees Trudy and Pete meet up once again, with a new offer that could change their relationship.